Ohio University's Center for Student Advocacy still is searching for a managing attorney and possibly a staff attorney after David Baer's resignation in November.
The Board and I had a disagreement
said Baer, who served as the center's managing attorney since its 1996 beginning. They had a different sense of what they wanted.
Neither Baer nor the staff at the center would comment additionally on his resignation.
OU students pay $8 per quarter to fund the non-profit organization, which provides free legal advice and representation.
After Baer's departure, staff attorney Patrick McGee took over as interim managing attorney. Because business was slow over winter break with less students on campus needing legal aid, the center was able to operate with only one attorney. Normally they have two available.
The office is functioning quite well said McGee, but I'm anxious to get a second attorney in here since the load is picking up.
The CSA board of directors is in charge of selecting the new attorney.
Board chairman Jim Hintz said they have looked at approximately a dozen applications for both positions. He said they are considering keeping McGee as managing attorney and only hiring a staff attorney.
We're kind of in limbo right now but we should know by the end of the month
McGee said.
Hintz said the board will begin interviewing candidates next week and will make a decision by early February.
Baer, in the meantime, has started his own private practice in Athens, working with a lawyer from Columbus. He practices civil rights litigations and criminal defense. He said he felt that he had done all he could to help establish the center and get it where it is today.
I've been a lawyer for 23 years
and we're very independent creatures
said Baer about why he decided to leave the CSA and begin his own practice.
Baer, now at 8 N. Court St., room 411, said he encourages students to use his legal services as needed.
We're affordable
he said. We may be more than $8
but we'll make it affordable.
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